Dear Neighbours,
I would like to continue to thank everyone for their efforts during these difficult times, I know it has been tough, but we must continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep ourselves and our community safe. It is also important to remember, our mental health is paramount, and that we take care of ourselves and seek support if needed.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Case Update: (Data as of February 28, 2021) There has been an increase of 312 COVID-19 cases in the City with 298 people currently hospitalized. Through the pandemic the City has seen a total of 97,656 cases of COVID-19, of these, 91,224 cases have recovered. To this date, there have been 2,659 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform. Province of Ontario status of COVID-19 Cases can be found here.
COVID-19 testing site and vaccine information – Residents can learn more about testing locations in their neighbourhood at www.toronto.ca/covid19testing . If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the City’s webpage for the latest news and information at www.toronto.ca/covid19vaccine
The Toronto Public Health region remains under the shutdown and stay-at-home orders until at least March 9, 2021. It remains imperative that we all respect the COVID-19 orders and stay home as much as possible. When you are outside of your home for essential purposes, remember to wear a mask or face covering, practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene. Get the latest information about service changes, COVID-19 vaccination rollout and COVID-19 regulations and lockdown guide.
City of Toronto provides updated details of City COVID-19 Vaccination Program and collaboration with health sector partners. The successful implementation of the City’s Vaccination Program is dependent on many areas of cooperation with the Province, Ontario Health, primary care providers and other health sector partners. Through the City’s program, in accordance with the Province’s phased approach and direction, the City is responsible for: identifying and supporting access to vaccines and vaccination information; operating the nine City-operated immunization clinics; concurrently and intermittently operate mobile immunization clinics; address the specialized needs of vulnerable populations; provide vaccine information to other immunizing agencies; and collaboratively plan with health sector, community and grassroot partners for coordinated immunization. Learn more about the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program in this news release.
City of Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program gets funding boost from the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced funding of up to $14.6 million to support the City of Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). Through FCM’s Community Efficiency Financing initiative, which is funded by the federal government, the City is eligible for a loan of up to $9,712,000 and a grant of up to $4,856,000. The funding will help Toronto homeowners undertake home energy efficiency retrofits and support the local economy. For more information please read this news release.
The City of Toronto released a new dashboard with data on how people enter and exit shelter systems, known as Shelter System Flow, that will be used to inform ongoing efforts to develop permanent solutions to address homelessness. The data provides information about people experiencing homelessness as they access and transition through the City’s municipally funded shelter system. The new dashboard supports the City’s HousingTO Action Plan commitment to develop and regularly report on performance indicators that measure progress towards ensuring that experiences of homelessness are rare, brief, and non-recurring. For more information, please read this news release.
The City of Toronto proclaims March 1 to 5 Black Mental Health Week in Toronto. Throughout the week, various events planned by community groups and agencies will focus on the impact that anti-Black racism has on mental health. The week is also a call to action for more support and access to culturally responsive mental health services and programs for Black residents. Learn more about Black Mental Health Week events, activities and resources in this news release.
City of Toronto’s 50 Automated Speed Enforcement devices issue more than 22,00 tickets in December 2020, the first month of enforcement at the second round of locations. Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood’s ASE devices issued a total of 1951 tickets. Enforcement data for January will be available in the coming weeks. A map of all current and planned locations are available online. For more information please read this news release.
An Extreme Cold Weather Alert (ECWA) has been issued today for Toronto in anticipation of colder weather conditions within the next 24 hours or longer. ECWAs are issued when the temperature in the daily forecast suggests temperatures will reach approximately -15 degrees Celsius or colder, or when the wind chill is forecast to reach -20 or colder. Warming Centres are open by 7pm the day an alert is called and will remain open throughout the ECWA. Warming Centres are located at:
- 129 Peter St.
- 5800 Yonge St.
- Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre, 195 Princes’ Blvd.
- Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr.
For more information, please read this news release.
The City of Toronto hospital and community health partners to begin vaccinating people experiencing homelessness and other priority populations as part of Phase 1 Community Vaccination Plan. Last weekend, Provincial officials confirmed for the City that vaccinating those experiencing homelessness is now part of its Phase One priority vaccinations. The Government of Ontario is responsible for establishing the vaccination prioritization framework for all Ontarians. The Province also confirmed that those aged 80 years and older will be among those eligible for vaccination as soon as vaccine supply is delivered. For more information please read this news release.
RentSafeTO: Apartment Building Standards is a bylaw enforcement program that ensures apartment building owners comply with building maintenance standards. The program applies to applies to apartment buildings with three or more storeys and 10 or more units. Residents need to contact their landlord first and submit service requests for issue such a pests, low or no heat, etc. Landlords need to respond to urgent service requests, such as no heat or water, within 24 hours. Non-urgent service requests need to be responded to within seven (7) days. If you get no action from your landlord and problems persist, you can contact 311 for the RentSafeTO team. For more information please see the RentSafeTO for Tenants webpage and this brochure.
CaféTO Information Webinar Tomorrow, March 2, 2021 at 9:30am! Sign Up to learn about program guidelines, timelines and new program features and next steps for participating in this year’s program. Learn more about the enhanced CaféTO program and free webinar by visiting toronto.ca/cafeto.
Election Signs Survey: City of Toronto is reviewing the rules for election signs in Toronto. Have your say on election sign rules in Toronto! Share your input through an online survey by 11:59pm March 3, 2021. Your feedback will inform a review of the bylaw regulating election signs in Toronto. Take the survey here.
Fireworks Bylaw Review Survey: The City is undertaking a review of the Fireworks Bylaw to explore opportunities for enhanced public education to support safe and compliant use of fireworks. Residents can provide feedback on firework regulations in Toronto via an online survey: Fireworks Bylaw Review. The survey will remain open until March 5, 2021.
SafeTO Survey: The City of Toronto is currently in the process of developing an updated Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan called SafeTO. This plan will guide how social systems that serve Torontonians such as community services, healthcare systems, justice systems and police work together to meet community needs by changing how we think about safety. Provide your input by taking this survey by March 5, 2021.
Please click here for a list of food banks and soup kitchens in the Ward 24.
Please click here for a list of food banks in East Scarborough.
Please click here for a list of food banks in Scarborough
Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.
Watch Scarborough-Guildwood’s past Live Town Hall meetings on my YouTube channel!
Boys’ and Girls’ Club of East Scarborough Scoop
Check out the ESBGC latest Bi-Weekly Scoop HERE. Subscribe HERE.
insidehousing: News from Toronto Community Housing
Check out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.
BusinessTO Newsletter: BusinessTO’s upcoming webinars and online events
Check out their latest newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.
CultureTO Newsletter: Focus on available resources and supports for Toronto’s culture sector.
Check out their latest newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.
TransformTO Update: Climate action for a healthy, equitable, prosperous Toronto.
Check out their latest update HERE. Subscribe HERE.
What’s On at the Library: Home Edition
Check out the latest copy HERE. Subscribe HERE. Fall TPL live and online programming is available online.
Our KGO Updates: East Scarborough Storefront’s crowd-sourced e-newsletter
Check out their latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.
Toronto District School Board Update
Check out the latest issue HERE.
TDSB Trustee Update by Ward 19 Scarborough-Guildwood Trustee Zakir Patel
Check out the latest issue HERE. Subscribe HERE.
City of Toronto Waste Wizard. The City of Toronto’s Waste Wizard helps you find out what waste items go where! You can visit the Waste Wizard online or download the TOwaste app.
Essential Government Information for COVID-19
Public Health’s information line & 311 are experiencing high call volumes. Residents can get the information they need online at www.toronto.ca
If you need info on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:
Official Global Travel Advisory
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
The City of Toronto’s website can be translated into many languages using the GoogleTM Translate tool. This tool gives residents and visitors who speak other languages a way of accessing City information featured on the website. To change languages on the City of Toronto website, please click here: www.toronto.ca/home/translate/
I am continuously updating my social media platforms and my website with up-to-date information:
Website: www.paulainslie.com
You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul